~ Leadership Development Training in Japan ~IATSS FORUM
Application Booklet
The 67th & 68th IATSS Forum, 2025

~ Fostering Young Leaders from Asian Countries~

International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences

This application booklet is available to download from the IATSS Forum Website:
https://www.iatssforum.jp/english/applications/index.html

Application for the 67th & 68th IATSS Forum Program in 2025
1. Program Period:
2025
67 IATSS Forum
68th IATSS Forum
th

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

67th IATSS Forum: May – July, 2025 (8 weeks) *68th IATSS Forum: September – November, 2025 (8 weeks) **Schedule and timeframe are subject to change.
*We cannot guarantee which season’s forum you will be able to participate in.
2. Participating Countries (10 countries):
Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
3. Number of Participants:
Total Number of Participants for 2025: 40 participants (20 participants in each Forum)*Approx. 1-3 participants from each country in each program*The number of participants allotted to each country varies from year to year.
4. Eligibility:
Applicants must possess the nationality of one of the above participating countries.
• Applicants should be 35 years old or younger at the time of the closing date of the application.
• Applicants must currently be a full-time employee working in a professional field. (Self-employed
and freelance included)• Applicants should have at least 2 years of full-time professional job experience at the timeof the application.
• Applicants should have sufficient English skills and cultural adaptability to live and study abroad.
• Applicants must possess the physical and mental capabilities necessary to fully participate inprogram activities without an accompanying person.
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5. Application/Selection Schedule:
2024 FebMar

Application
Period

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Open on June 1st

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Closed on September 30th

Screening(Document Based)

Final Screening(Interview)

1) Applications are accepted once a year.
2) Application Period: from June 1st to September 30th, 2024
3) Application Documents: All of the documents listed below must be submitted to the applicant's
Country Committee Secretariat via postal service or the online application page on our website.
The required forms can be downloaded from our website.
•
•
•
•
•

IATSS Forum Application Form
Basic Question Form
Essay Form
Recommendation Form
Certificate of English Proficiency (if you have any)4) Basically, there are two screenings and an interview.
1. Document-based Screening : October – mid-November, 2024
Examination of application documents by the IATSS Forum Country Committee
2. Final Interview : Late November – mid-December, 2024
Interview with prospective applicants by the IATSS Forum Japan Steering Committee
members and the IATSS Forum Country Committee members, in their home country
6. Other Terms and Conditions:1.
2.

Only the shortlisted applicants who are invited to the final interview will be notified.
The IATSS Forum secretariat will specify participants’ arrival and departure dates.

 For more information, please refer to our IATSS Forum website:
http://www.iatssforum.jp/en/2Instructions for Application
I. Application Requirement
Documents to be Submitted
No.

Item

Note

1

Application Form・ Must be written in English
・ Fill out the downloaded form in Microsoft Office Word or
PDF.

2

Basic Question Form・ Fill out the downloaded form in Microsoft Office Word.
・ Refer to the explanation section in the next page.

3

Essay

・ Fill out the downloaded form (a short essay on the given topic).
・ Refer to the explanation section in the next page.

4

Recommendation Form・ Attach 1 letter of recommendation from your employer.
It should be from your direct supervisor at your present job.
・ Use the downloaded recommendation form.
・ Refer to the explanation section on the next page.

5

A Copy of Certificate ofEnglish Proficiency

・ Attach a copy of each certificate indicating your level ofEnglish proficiency, if you have one. (TOEFL, TOEIC etc.)

Please Note:- Handwritten application documents are also acceptable, but please DO NOT use cursive styled
writing. Only documents written in clear, legible hand writing using a black pen are acceptable forthe screening.
- If you use acronym, you must write the full name after the first acronym.
e.g. IATSS (International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences)- For applicants from the Philippines, additional documents are required. Please contact IATSS Forum
Philippine secretariat for more details.

II. Submission of Application Documents
Submit the required documents via the online application page on our website or send the enclosed
application documents to the address of your IATSS Forum country committee secretariat by postal
service.
As for the contact information for your country secretariat, please check the final page of this application
booklet.

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III. Instruction for Answering Basic Questions and Essay Preparation
Please follow the instructions below:
1. Based on your understanding of the IATSS Forum’s concept, answer the following basic questions
and write a short essay on the following theme.
2. Follow the required format.
Basic Questions:
Q1: Please describe your concept of ideal “leadership” based on your experience.
Q2: How far are you from the ideal leadership that you describe in Q1? (include your strengths
and weaknesses)
Q3: What do you expect to gain from the IATSS Forum?
Q4: If you were chosen, how would you contribute to the IATSS Forum program or the learningof the other participants?
Q5: What is your ultimate goal in your career path?
Essay Theme: How can you contribute to the sustainable development* of your country?
According to the theme above, please write an essay including the following points:
1. What kind of challenges/problems you want to solve?
2. Reasons why you think they are challenges/problems, and why you want to solve them
3. Plan to achieve it (provide specific details.)* “Sustainable development” includes not only about the environment but also about theeconomy, politics, education, etc.
Required Format:
1) Within 100 words for each basic questions
2) Within 500 words for essay (Please provide a word count at the top of essay)
3) Typed in Microsoft Office Word
4) A4 size5) Single-spaced
6) Font size: 117) Font: Times New Roman
8) Write the essays in English

Ⅳ. Instruction for the Recommendation Form
1. Write in English in Microsoft Office Word or clearly with a black pen. (Do NOT use cursive
styled writing.)
2. Applicants’ referees need to write the applicant’s name, referee’s name, and provide the referee’s
signature.
If applicants’ referees are not able to write in English, the applicants need to find someone who cantranslate the form into English. The applicant’s translator must write his/her name, relation to theapplicant, date of translation, and provide a signature in the translation document. Applicants should
submit both the referee’s recommendation form and the translation document.

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FAQ Regarding the IATSS Forum<Eligibility for Participation in the IATSS Forum>
Q1:
A1:

What are the requirements to participate in the IATSS Forum?
As for the age requirement, anyone who is 35 years old or younger at the closing date of theapplication can apply for the program, as long as s/he meets the eligibility criteria for the IATSS
Forum.
Please refer to “4. Eligibility” (page1) on the application booklet for more details about
qualifications.

Q.2-1: I am a student. Am I eligible to apply for the IATSS Forum?
A.2-1: No. If you are a student, and not working full time, you are not qualified to apply for the IATSS
Forum. Please apply for it after you have gained 2 years of professional experience.
Q.2-2: I am a student but I have 2 years of professional experience and I am not working now. Am I
eligible to apply for the IATSS Forum?
A.2-2: No, applicants must currently be a full-time employee working in a professional field. (Selfemployed and freelance included)
Q.2-3: I am currently working but I go to school part-time. Am I eligible to apply for the IATSS Forum?
A.2-3: Yes. As long as you are a full-time employee working in a professional field, you are eligible toapply for the program.
<Selection Process>Q3:
A3:

From what point of view does the IATSS Forum do the screenings?
In the interview, the IATSS Forum appreciates applicants’ ability to express their opinions
clearly. Also, we focus on whether the applicants are open-minded towards other points of view
and able to contribute on both an individual and a group level. From this point of view, we try
to select people from a variety of backgrounds and fields to avoid homogeneous groups.

Q4:

I am Malaysian, and living in Singapore at the moment. Which country committee should I apply
to, Malaysia or Singapore?
Please apply to the Malaysian Country Committee. If you have passed the document screening,you will have a final interview in Malaysia as well. This is because participants will be selected
as representatives of their nations.

A4:<Programs>
Q5:
A5:

As the IATSS Forum is organized by IATSS (International Association of Traffic and Safety
Sciences), do the contents of the program only focus exclusively on traffic related issues or any
specific field?
No. The overarching theme of today's IATSS Forum is "Sustainable Development." The program
for the IATSS Forum has been developed with this theme in mind. The program includes
learning about the topic of mobility and traffic, but it encompasses more than just that. We aim
to provide participants with numerous opportunities to expand their knowledge across various
fields and enable them to address a range of sustainability issues, thereby enhancing theirunderstanding of sustainability.

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Q6:
A6:

I have heard that the IATSS Forum provides a leadership training program for promising young
people from Asian countries. Could you please tell me a little more about this program?
The IATSS Forum fosters the development of participants leadership skills which can“produce new value from diversity.” The IATSS Forum considers a “leader” to be “a person who,in striving towards a goal, is capable of bringing out the strengths of a group to their fullest.”
Therefore, “leadership” is “the ability to maximize a group’s potential by effectively applying
its strengths to their utmost, leading to the attainment of a goal.”

Q7:
A7:

What is your teaching methodology as regards the Leadership Program?
We believe in learning through experience and as such we provide participants with
opportunities to obtain leadership skills naturally, on their own. We do this through a variety of
programs such as “Group Study,” “Seminars,” “Field Study” and “International Exchange
Activities.” The role of the IATSS Forum is to empower young professionals from Asian
countries to cultivate leadership knowhow, by giving them a place to practice it.
Our motto, “Thinking and Learning Together,” has served as the core concept of the Forum
since its foundation. It is our hope that participants will be able to actualize this motto throughengaging in these programs where they will have the opportunity to act, take in new informationand learn on their own. We believe they will be able to make many new discoveries throughtheir experiences and observations and, in the end, come to a mutual understanding on mattersthrough discussions with other future Asian leaders.

Q8:

I have heard that, at the IATSS Forum, there are no tests to complete the program, nor adeclaration of ranking regarding the participants’ performances. Why is that? In that case, will
no one be evaluating or giving advice for improvement? Will the performance of the participants
not be reported to their supervisors?
The IATSS Forum does not evaluate participants or rank them. Because the purpose of the IATSS
Forum is not to obtain knowledge or information, we do not have tests to check how muchknowledge or information the participants have acquired. The IATSS Forum is a place whereparticipants cooperate with each other. Moreover, the IATSS Forum does not report anything to
the participants’ supervisors.
Participants can evaluate themselves on how deeply and broadly they have thought through a lotof discussion in seminars or Group Study. During the IATSS Forum program, the participants
will have a lot of opportunities to think and discuss issues in meeting their Asian neighbors andJapanese people, touching on Japan’s current situation, and tackling various Asian issues from a
global perspective. The objective of the IATSS Forum is to deepen participants’ understandingby thinking and discussing things together on the basis of knowledge or information.

A8:<Others>
Q9:

After completing the IATSS Forum program, I would like to visit some places before leaving
Japan; may I have permission to do so?
Q10: On the way back home from Japan, may I drop by some other countries? Of course, I do notmind paying the necessary expenses.
A9&10: No. Participants must return to their home country by the designated date, on the designatedairline. Your training visa permits you to stay in Japan only during the program period. In
addition, your primary purpose should be to participate in the program, and after that to bereinstated to your current job, to put what you have gained at the IATSS Forum into practicaluse. From this point of view, the IATSS Forum requests that you return straight home right after
the program.

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Q11: Who bears the expenses related to the IATSS Forum program?
A11: The IATSS Forum pays for the round trip airfare, participation fees for the program,accommodations, and almost all food expenses, etc. Participants need to pay for their personal
expenses and part of their food expenses. More detailed information regarding the burden of
expense is written in the “Letter of Agreement” which will be given to successful candidates
after the final interview.
Q12: After completion of the IATSS Forum program, will participants be involved in any particular
activity?
A12: After completion of the IATSS Forum program, participants will join the IATSS Forum alumni
association in their home country. These organizations offer a place to continue sharing a wealthof experience through networks of alumni that span a broad range of ages and occupational fields.
Active alumni associations in each country provide opportunities for alumnus to get together
and exchange the latest information from various fields. Alumni activities also include
informational sessions for prospective applicants and NGO-type community services, such as
English lessons or traffic safety education for disadvantaged children.
Q13:

I am a CEO, so I would need to work during the program if I was selected. How many hours per
day do I have free time or when does the daily program finish every day?
A13: You should not expect to have free time every day during the program. You are expected toattend some evening programs, have practice or collaboration work on most of the evenings
during the program. You will be expected to build bonds and trust with other participants during
your free time, as a result we require participants to involve themselves fully in the forum’s
program and not busy themselves with outside work.

★On this sheet, only frequently asked questions are written. If you have any further questions, please
do not hesitate to contact your country committee secretary at any time.

7Committee Members:< IATSS Forum Steering Committee >Chairperson
Yuto Kitamura (Mr.)

Members
Akihiro Nakamura (Mr.)
Toshihiro Hiraoka (Mr.)
Jun Kawaguchi (Mr.)
Akemi Ashida (Ms.)
Kento Yoh (Mr.)

Association Member, IATSS
Professor, Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo
Association Member, IATSS
Professor, Faculty of Economics, Chuo University
Association Member, IATSS
Senior Chief Researcher, Mobility Research Division, Japan Automobile Research Institute
Association Member, IATSS
Associate Professor, Department of Education, Faculty of Letters, Keio University
Associate Professor, Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University
Assistant Professor, Division of Global Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University< IATSS Forum Cambodian Committee >Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center
Chairperson
Oum Ravy (Ms.)
Members
Khim Leang (Mr.)
Pen Bopha (Ms.)
Advisor
Representative
Chikahiro Masuda (Mr.)

Vice Rector, Royal University of Phnom Penh
Director, Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center
President, IATSS Forum Cambodia Alumni Association
Embassy of Japan
Chief Advisor, Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center< IATSS Forum Indian Committee >LEAD India
Chairperson
Geetam Tiwari (Ms.)
Vice Chairperson
Shruti Sharma (Ms.)
Members
Girish Agrawal (Mr.)
University
Bhawana Luthra (Ms.)
Snehil Kumar (Mr.)
Advisor
Representative
Vinay Dhingra (Mr.)

Professor for Transport Planning, Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Technology Delhi
Board Member, LEAD India
Additional Principal Conservator of Forests, IFS (Indian Forest Services), Rajasthan
Fellow Director, LEAD India
Associate Director (Strategy and Planning), Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Shiv Nadar
Executive Director, LEAD India
Independent Consultant and Total Quality Counsellor
LEAD Fellow, LEAD India
Embassy of Japan
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd.

< IATSS Forum Indonesian Committee >Chairperson
Abdi Hamdani (Mr.)
Vice Chairperson
Ahmad Muhibbuddin (Mr.)
Members
Eva Hotnaidah Saragih (Ms.)
Christian Siboro (Mr.)
Sadono Sriharjo (Mr.)
Advisor
Representative
Tetsuro Taguchi (Mr.)

GM Human Resource, PT. Jasuindo Tiga Perkasa, Tbk
Chairman, Astra Honda Motor Foundation
PPM School of Management, Senior Faculty member & Researcher,
Coordinator of International Accreditation Team
Independent Commissioner, PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk.
Director of Education and Training of Ideology Pancasila Development,
The Pancasila Ideology Development Agency
Embassy of JapanPT Astra Honda Motor8< IATSS Forum Lao Committee >Lao Youth Union

Acting Chairperson
Vanhpheng Khounbolay (Ms.)
Members
Sisomephone Tipanya (Ms.)
Advisor
Representative

Deputy Director General of Vocational Development Department, Lao Youth Union
Director of Vocation Training Division, Vocational Development Department, Lao Youth Union
Secretary, IATSS Forum Lao Secretariat
Embassy of Japan< IATSS Forum Malaysian Committee >University of Malaya

Chairperson
Dato’ Zuraidah Atan (Ms.)
Members
Dato’ Robert Wong Lum Kong (Mr.)
Mohamad Nazmi Ismail (Mr.)
Advisor
Representative
Representative
Representative

Advocate & Solicitor, Chambers of Zuraidah AtanGroup Managing Director, Oriental Holdings Berhad
Principal Assistant Director, Human Capital Development Division, Public Service Department,
Government of Malaysia
Embassy of Japan
HONDA Malaysia Sdn.Bhd.
DRB-Hicom Bhd< IATSS Forum Myanmar Committee >Myanmar Industries Association (MIA)
Chairperson
Zaw Min Win (Mr.)
Members
Thein Han (Mr.)
Aye Tun (Mr.)
Win Htin (Mr.)
Advisor
Representative

Senior Advisor, Myanmar Industries Association (MIA)
Managing Director, Golden Horse Co., Ltd
Managing Director, Aung Thein Than Co., Ltd
Vice Chairman, Myanmar Industries Association (MIA)
Embassy of Japan< IATSS Forum Philippine Committee >Department of Science & Technology (DOST)
Chairperson
Maridon Onda Sahagun (Ms.)
Members
Fortunato T. de la Peña (Prof.)
Louie C. Soriano (Atty.)
Manuel M. Muhi (Dr.)
Carlos A. Bartolata, Jr. (Mr.)
Representative

Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services, Department of Science and Technology
President, Philippine Foundation of Science and Technology
Vice President, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.
President, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
President, Philippines IATSS Forum Alumni Association
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines< IATSS Forum Singaporean Committee >The National University of Singapore Society (NUSS)
Chairperson
George Abraham (Mr.)
Vice Chairperson
Soh Yi Da (Mr.)
Members
Clara Tan (Ms.)
Advisor
Representative
Representative

Chairman and Managing Director, The GA Group Pte Ltd.
Member, The National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) Management Committee
Chief Executive Officer, The National University of Singapore Society (NUSS)
Embassy of Japan
Managing Director, Bukit Batok Driving Centre Ltd.

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< IATSS Forum Thai Committee >Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Chairperson
Phirun Saiyasitpanich (Mr.)
Vice Chairperson
Pavich Kesavawong (Mr.)
Members
Worrawan Asawakul (Dr.)
AdvisorOZAWA Haruka (Mr.)
Tatsuya Ezawa (Mr.)
Usanee Waraphak (Ms.)

Director General, DCCE
Deputy Director-General, DCCE
President of Thai IATSS Forum Alumni
Second Secretary, Embassy of Japan
General Manager • Corporate Affairs & Communications, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Senior Officer • Corporate Affairs & Communications, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

< IATSS Forum Vietnamese Committee >Vietnam Asia-Pacific Economic Center (VAPEC)
Chairperson
Vo Dai Luoc (Mr.)
Vice Chairperson
Nguyen Canh Binh (Mr.)
Members
Pham Duy Khuong (Mr.)
Advisor
Representative
Representative

President of Vietnam Asia-Pacific Economic Center (VAPEC)
Director of Vietnam Intellectual Cooperation Center (VICC) / CEO, Alpha Books
President, Vietnam IATSS Forum Alumni Association
Embassy of Japan
Honda Vietnam Co., Ltd.

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IATSS Forum Country Secretariat:

IATSS Forum Myanmar Secretariat

IATSS Forum Suzuka, Japan

17-8 Nakaejima-cho, Suzuka, Mie,
510-0236 Japan
Tel: +81-59-367-7077
Fax: +81-59-367-7076
Homepage: http://www.iatssforum.jp

Secretary: Ms. Pyai Pyai Pwint
C/O Myanmar Industries Association (MIA)
UMFCCI Office Tower, 6th Floor
No.29, Min Ye Kyaw Swar Street,
Lanmadaw Township, Yangon, Myanmar
Tel: +95(0)1 2314830, +95(9)254 132 879
Fax: +95(0)1 2314832
E-mail: pyaipyai.pwint@gmail.com
E-mail: myanmarcommittee.iatssforum@gmail.com

IATSS Forum Cambodian Secretariat

IATSS Forum Philippines Secretariat

Secretary: Ms. Nuon Kossoma
c/o RUPP-CJCC, Russian Confederation Blvd.
Khan Tuol Kork, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel (Office): +855(0) 23-883-649
Tel (Direct): +855(0) 12-226-943
E-mail: kossoma@cjcc.edu.kh
E-mail: info@cjcc.edu.kh

Secretary: Mr. Leonard P. Ladiero
c/o Department of Science and Technology Central Office,General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City,
1631 Republic of the Philippines
Tel/Fax: +63 (02) 88372071 to 82 loc.3010
E-mail: lpladiero@dost.gov.ph
E-mail: miel5030@gmail.com

IATSS Forum Indian Secretariat

IATSS Forum Singaporean Secretariat

IATSS Forum Indonesian Secretariat

IATSS Forum Thai Secretariat

General Secretary: Ms. Bhawana Luthra
C/O LEAD India
E-133, 2nd Floor, Greater Kailash-1, New Delhi – 110048,
India
Tel: +91 11 29235721, 41638440, 29235720
Fax: 29235722
E-mail: bhawana@leadindia.org
E-mail: bhawana.luthra@gmail.com

Secretary: Ms. Jenny Ng
c/o The National University of Singapore Society (NUSS)
9 Kent Ridge Drive Singapore 119241
Tel: (+65) 65863718
Fax: (+65) 6778 8095
E-mail: iatssforum@nuss.org.sg

Secretary: Mr. Henky
Yayasan Astra Honda Motor,
Jl. Yos Sudarso Sunter 1, Jakarta 14350, Indonesia
Tel: +62 (0)21 651-8080 (Ext. 18412)
Personal mobile: +62-813-19727271
E-mail: henky.sumardy@astra-honda.com

Secretary: Uma Srisuk (Ms.)
Director of Participation Promotion in Climate Change andEnvironment Division,
Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE)
Secretary Assistant: Chaipon Juntawang (Mr.)
Director of Children and Youth Environmental Promotion
Section, Participation Promotion in Climate Change andEnvironment Division
Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE)IATSS Forum Lao Secretariat

Secretary: Ms. Sisomphone Tipanya
c/o Lao Youth Union, Lao PDR, The Vocational Training
Division
Phonthan Road, Xaysettha District, Vientiane Capital, Lao
P.D.R.
Tel/Fax: +856 (0)21-416767,
Mobile: +856-20-55494816; 28444065
E-mail: juy_81@yahoo.com

49 Soi 30, Rama 6 Road, Phayathai,Bangkok 10400, THAILAND
Tel: +66(0)2-278-8400 ext. 1840
E-mail: iATSSdcce168@gmail.com

IATSS Forum Malaysian Secretariat

IATSS Forum Vietnamese Secretariat

Secretary / Director : Professor Dr. Rofina Yasmin Othman
Chairperson: Dato’ Zuraidah Atanc/o Universiti Malaya
Pusat Perhubungan Industri (UM Industry Liaison Office)3rd Floor, Bangunan KPPI (IPPP Building),
Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur
TEL: +60-3-4257-5250
E-mail: iatss_forum@um.edu.my
E-mail: datozuraidahatan@gmail.com

Vice Chairman: Mr. Nguyen Canh Binh
IATSS Forum Vietnam
Dream Center Building, 282 Nguyen Huy Tuong Street,
Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hotline : +84 983 884 546
Cell phone: +84 917 02 2000
E-mail: iatssvietnam@gmail.com

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